Each of the buglers is a volunteer, making the tradition's longevity all the more remarkable.

Raf Decombel, 48, says he does it because it is the right thing to do.

"It's important, even for the further generations, that they remember that war never gives a solution," he said.

"But the most important thing is that they can do it every day again as they came here to fight for freedom and for the restoration of peace."

Benoit Mottrie, chairman of the Last Post Association, says the nightly rendition is a way to thank the soldiers who rescued the people of Ypres.

"For the first time the Last Post was sounded by four buglers of the Somerset Light Infantry and this made such an impact on all the people attending and also on the Ypres citizens, who were looking for a way to thank your guys who came over to rescue us," he said.

"So we wanted a way to continue to honour them."

He says the ceremony often attracts large crowds wanting to pay their respects.

"We don't want to be a tourist attraction; we're there to remember and honour the fallen. And so we like to have the right atmosphere under the gate," he said.

"We try to have the silence during the ceremony and certainly during the minute of silence.

"You see that all people respect that idea and that's very good."

The 30,000th playing of the Last Post will happen midway through 2017.

Mr Mottrie says the Gate may not be big enough then to contain the crowds.